title: Crystal methamphetamine injection predicts slower HIV RNA suppression among injection drug users.
abstract: We examined the impact of crystal methamphetamine injection on HIV RNA suppression among a prospective cohort of HIV-positive injection drug users initiating antiretroviral therapy. A multivariate Cox regression analysis found crystal methamphetamine injection to be negatively associated with viral load suppression (RH=0.63 [95% CI: 0.40-0.98]; p=0.039). This study is the first to our knowledge to demonstrate an association between crystal methamphetamine use and HIV RNA suppression.
authors.affiliation: British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fairbairn
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kerr
authors.forename: M-J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Milloy
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Montaner
authors.forename: Evan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wood
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000821:virology*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D001955:British Columbia; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000633:toxicity*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D019562:Viral Load / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral; D008694:Methamphetamine